Improved bedpan



Jan. 1 7, 1956 M. E. STACK IMPROVED BEDPAN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 21, 1952 MARY E. STACK INVENTO'R BY )(Z ATTORNEYS Jan. 17, 1956 M. E. STACK zy73fly725 IMPROVED BEDPAN Filed June 21, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG MARY Em STAGK INVENTOR ATTOR N EYS United States Patent IMPROVED BEDPAN Mary E. Stack, Seattle, Wash.

Application June 21, 1952, Serial No. 294,869

3 Claims. (Cl. 4-112) This present invention relates to a bedpan which conforms in plan view generally to the shape of the common bedpan having the usual enlarged posterior end and then tapering somewhat to the narrower and rounded anterior end. Among the improvements provided with this present invention is making the major portion of the bottom of the bedpan as a flat plane, and then providing near the posterior end a stepped-up portion producing a sharpcornered chine, and then a downwardly sloping portion of the bottom connecting the upper portion of the step to the posterior end of the bedpan on the general plane of the bottom. This arrangement gives all the stability that would be secured from a pan in which the bottom was a flat square-cornered plane. The step, however, provides a means for definitely anchoring the bedpan in place and preventing its slipping during use. The posterior end provides a resting surface for the buttocks which tends to spread the same and to thus greatly assist in defecation. The front or anterior portion of the pan is provided with a raised bead having two depressions in the end thereof to facilitate the introduction of enema tubes in a manner that will position them and prevent the weight of the patient from tending to throttle or close the tubes.

The bedpan as it is known today may be said to have been created in the fourteenth century and to have been used in substantially the same form, merely having the materials changed, until the present time. Mistakenly this pan has been provided with very rounded bottom corners, rounded no doubt in an endeavor to facilitate placing the pan on the bed. This is believed to be a mistaken premise however as preferably the bedpan is merely placed upon the bed and then the patient is rolled over on the same. Therefore the present rounded bottom serves no useful purpose and greatly reduces the stability of the same, especially is this true when a patient sits on the pan when the same is supported by the resilient mattress of a hospital cot or bed. The truth of this statement can be readily determined by placing a bedpan on the floor where it is solidly sup ported and it will be discovered that the normal well person has no difficulty sitting on the same because it is stable. However when it is placed on a resilient mattress further aggravated by a bedspring structure beneath it, it then becomes a diflicult balancing feat for even a person in good health to achieve. This balancing act becomes a very distressing experience, however, for persons in ill health and who are the normal users of this type of equipment. Under these conditions, the weight presses the bedpan deep into the mattress and as a consequence the patients heels are tilted up. It requires the expenditure of nervous and muscular energy sometimes more than a patient can afiord to expend. So great is the hazard that death on the bedpan is not an uncommon occurrence. In my present bedpan I believe I have gone far toward finding a solution of the many problems that are experienced with the conventional type of bedpans.

2,730,725 Patented Jan. 17, 1956 The principal object of my present invention is to provide an improved bedpan which will be comfortable for a patient to use and which provides the maximum stability when in use.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bedpan which has its bottom surface so formed as to provide a means for anchoring it quite securely in place while the same is in use and thus prevent its slipping out from under the patient or tilting when in use.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bedpan so arranged as to spread the buttocks in the natural position to assist in defecation.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bedpan so arranged that maximum security is maintained against the same tilting, or tipping and spilling; the contents of the same.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bedpan having an anterior end especially adapted to the giving of enemas.

Further objects, advantages and capabilities will be apparent from the description and disclosure in the drawings, or may be comprehended or are inherent in the device.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a bedpan made after the teachings of my present invention;

Figure 2 is a typical longitudinal vertical sectional view through my bedpan taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic View showing a patient using my improved bedpan while lying down; and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing a patient using my bedpan in the sitting position.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings, the numeral designates the top surface of my bedpan. This member as used in the past may most properly be referred to as egg-shaped in that the posterior portion 12 is constructed with the larger radius and the anterior end 14 with a considerably smaller radius. These two arcs are connected by curves so that in plan View the shape may be compared to the conventional bedpan. Actually however the vertical walls 16 are really vertical throughout a greater portion of their extent being terminated at the bottom Where they join the bottom portion 18 by a minimum radius as is indicated at 20. The upper margin of wall 16 has a somewhat greater radius as. 22 but in no way does it have the wide sweeping curve of the conventional bedpan. The short radius employed at 22 is merely to relieve the upper margin of a square corner and it is particularly desirable that this curve be small so that the top area will be fully usable to support the patient.

The vertical placement of wall 16 makes it possible to have the top surface at the posterior end form a truly' adequate seat and one which will engage the buttocks well out from the anus to the end that the buttocks will be spread as when one uses a conventional toilet seat, and in this way evacuation is assisted in the normal way to which persons are accustomed.

The anterior end of the top surface is raised slightly as will probably be best observed in Figure 2. This provides the patient with a mechanical reminder that Will cause him to assume the normal position Where the thighs are somewhat spread. This construction further provides sufiicient height for the enema tube valleys as indicated at 24 and 25.

A very important feature of my bedpan consists in the manner in which the bottom 18 is formed. The longia tudinal section of Figure 2 illustrates this construction wherein a very substantial portion of the bottom is flat as shown at 27. Then at a point which conforms substantially to the point of greatest weight bearing, the bottom is formed with an upwardly extending wall 23 which forms a transverse chine 30 which extends entirely across the bottom of the pan and in function gives the same stability as though the bedpan were square. Actually a square or rectangular bedpan would give the maximum stability but such a shape would not be desirable because it would not conform to the physical requirements of the patient. On its upward extent wall 28 terminates in a bend 32 from which a second plane bottom portion 34 continues. This plane surface joins the vertical wall 16 at the extreme posterior end of the pan on the same level as the major bottom portion 27. This construction forming a corner less than a right angle, tends to bite into the mattress and further assists chine 30 in preventing displacement of the pan, a characteristic that is so much to be desired.

The usualmanner in which this bedpan is used is illustrated in Figure 4. To prepare the patient for this position the patient is normally turned over on his side and then the bedpan is placed on the bed in the exact position of use. The patient then rolls over on the pan, or is assisted in this operation, depending upon his condi tion. The pan itself under these circumstances has the necessary stability so that it will not overturn when pressure is applied only on one side in the beginning of the positioning, and as soon as weight is placed upon the upper surface 10, the sharp downward edge of wall 16 and chine 30 displace the springs or padding, or quilt ing, of the mattress and in effect sink into the same so that the pan is secure in position and the patient can move with respect to the same without additional help.

Attention is invited to the shape of the posterior end or apron of top 10. This is a relatively large area fashioned much after the seat of a chair. The cross-sectional view of Figure 3 illustrates the slight curvature of the top. This curvature should be just suflicient to conform to the general body shape of the patient. It should be relatively flat as distinguished from the bucket-like arrangement of the conventional bedpan, in that it is more comfortable if the patient must lie on the same for extended periods, and, secondly, it tends to spread the buttocks apart instead offunneling them together as occurs in the conventional deeper curved pan. When the patient has finished his movement, then he needs only to roll off the pan. The pan, because of its specially adapted bottom structure, is in effect anchored in place and will not be squeezed out away from the patient, or overturned.

Attention is directed to Figure 2 to the showing of the normal water level 38. This is the level of the water normally-placed in the pan before the same is used. It will be noted that it is entirely supported by the flat bottom 27 and all the area rearward of wall 28 is unused. This provides the maximum depth of water, with the minimum amount of water, and then, when defecation takes place, and the volume is increased, the liquid overflows curve 32 coming substantially to the level indicated at 40. It has been found that by raising the bottom of the large end of the pan, the end carrying the weight of the patient, pressure is relieved at the extreme anterior end and is placed instead on the chine where the bottom steps up, as this chine extends entirely across the pan at its widest point it gives the maximum in balance and stability to the pan, and with the two corners thus provided, it prevents tilting or tipping and sliding of the pan as is so common with the conventional form of bedpan when the patients weight is actually disposed on the same, or when the patient is being positioned on the pan, or taken off the same.

Figure illustrates the use of my bedpan when a patient is able to sit up on the same. The position indicated in this view is the one particularly recommended Cir nature during an evacuation. It is to be noted that the feet of the patient need to be drawn well up to the body so that the knees are in a high position. This very position, however, causes the patient to in effect be pushing with his legs which would tend to slide the pan backward as viewed. It is under such conditions as this that the notch formed by wall 23 and chine 30, together with the vertical end wall 16, provides a most favorable coaction of these parts with the bedding to the end that the bedpan is anchored very securely in position. It is also in this position where the transverse stability provided by the wide flat bottom, and especially the chine 30, is most appreciated. Here with this improved form of pan the evacuation no longer becomes a balancing feat. This is naturally a great help to the patients who after all are not normal or they would not have need for the bedpan. Experience has proved that under these conditions the stability of this pan enables a great number of people to use this desirable position who cannot achieve it or maintain the position just due to the fact that they are not able to expend the nervous energy and physical effort required to maintain their balance on the conventional bedpan.

It is believed that it will be clearly apparent from the above description and the disclosure in the drawings that the invention comprehends a novel construction of an improved bedpan.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. A bedpan, comprising: a body forming an enclosure having vertical walls forming in horizontal cross-section an ovate outline which is wider at its posterior end than its anterior end, the bottom of said body extending from the anterior end in a first flat horizontal bottom section which is substantially normal to said vertical walls and extends more than two-thirds of the distance to the pos' terior end, the bottom then rising vertically in an intermediate chine bottom section, and then extending from said intermediate section to the posterior end in a second oblique flat bottom section which terminates at the posterior end at substantially the same level as said first bottom section and forms an acute angle with the vertical walls at said posterior end, the corners formed by the juncture of the exterior surfaces of said bottom to said walls being sharply curved with a minimum radius, the posterior top of said body forming a posterior surface with a slight concavity substantially conforming to the shape of the body portion which will rest thereon and extending more than one-third the distance to the anterior end, the anterior top of said body having a large opening extending throughout most of its extent and having a rolled rim bordering the edge of said opening, said top of said body when viewed in side elevation being generally horizontally disposed except that said rolled rim rising as it extends to the anterior end and the top joining the vertical walls by a curved corner having a small radius, and said rolled rim at said anterior end having a pair of spaced apart indentations forming a rest for enema tubes.

2. A bedpan, comprising: a body forming an enclosure having vertical walls forming in horizontal cross-section an ovate outline which is wider at its posterior end than its anterior end, the bottom of said body extending from the anterior end in a first fiat horizontal bottom section which is substantially normal to said vertical walls and extends more than two-thirds of the distance to the posterior end, the bottom then rising vertically in an intermediate chine bottom section, and then extending from said intermediate section to the posterior end in a second oblique flat bottom section which terminates at the posterior end at approximately the same level as said first bottom section and forms an acute angle with the vertical walls at said posterior end, the corners formed by the juncture of the exterior surfaces of said bottom to said walls being sharply curved with a minimum radius, the posterior top of said body forming a posterior surface with a slight concavity substantially conforming to the shape of the body portion which will rest thereon and extending more than one-third the distance to the anterior end, the anterior top of said body having a large opening extending through most of its extent, said top of said body when viewed in side elevation being generally horizontally disposed except that said rolled rim rising as it extends to the anterior end.

3, A bedpan, comprising: a body forming an enclosure having vertical side and end Walls forming in horizonal cross-section an oval outline, the bottom of said body extending from the anterior end in a first flat horizontal bottom section which is substantially normal to said vertical walis and extends more than two-thirds of the distance to the posterior end, the bottom then rising sharply vertically in an intermediate chine bottom section, and then extending from said intermediate section to the posterior end in a second oblique flat bottom section which terminates at the posterior end at approximately the same level as said first bottom section and forms a sharp acute angle with the vertical walls at said posterior end,

the corners formed by the juncture of the exterior surface of said bottom to said walls being formed with a minimum radius, the posterior top of said body forming a posterior surface with a slight concavity substantially conforming to the shape of the body portion which will rest thereon and extending more than one-third the distance to the anterior end, the anterior top of said body having a large opening extending through most of its extent.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 330,548 Beal Nov. '17, 1885 1,091,352 Knowlton Mar. 24, 1914 1,499,161 Farnsworth June 24, 1924 1,632,021 Breaux June 14, 1927 1,651,324 Bonds Nov. 29, 1927 1,978,468 Malmberg c. Oct. 30, 1934 2,132,651 Schack Oct. 11, 1938 2,320,845 Bolton a. June 1, 1943 

